It’s a common misconception that humans have one joint at the knee, but we have two: the patellofemoral (PFJ) joins the kneecap and thighbone; the tibiofemoral (TFJ) joins the thigh and shinbone. Every year, millions of Americans replace the TFJ, even though the PFJ is usually the main cause of their pain. A good physical therapist will identify which knee joint is causing your pain and begin a treatment plan of deep-tissue massage, stretching, progressive resistive exercises, ultrasound, and electrical stimulation. Avoid the knee-jerk reaction of having surgery. Visit a physical therapist first to discover the cause of your pain.
Dr. Parsa Karimi PT, DPT
Author of “How to Choose the Right Physical Therapist”